Class 9 English - ODISHA
Supplementary: In the Kingdom of Fools
Supplementary: In the Kingdom of Fools is a Kannada folktale retold by A.K. Ramanujan, included in the Class 9 English syllabus for BSE Odisha students. The story is a humorous satire about a foolish king and his silly minister who order everyone to turn night into day and day into night, and buy everything for a single duddu. The narrative highlights the perils of living under the rule of ignorant and absurd leaders. For board exams, students must understand the sequence of events leading to the final execution, the irony of the clever disciple getting trapped, and the moral lesson that foolish rule brings danger.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Absurd Laws
The king and his minister reversed the natural order of life by making day into night and night into day, showing extreme foolishness.
The Cheap Cost of Living
Everything in the kingdom—from a measure of rice to a bunch of bananas—cost just a single duddu, which tempted the greedy disciple to stay.
The Chain of Blame
When a thief dies during a house robbery, the merchant, bricklayer, dancing girl, and goldsmith are successively blamed in a hilarious trial of absurdity.
The Guru's Wisdom
The wise guru recognized the danger of living among fools and tried to warn his disciple, later using his wits to save his disciple's life.
Poetic Justice
The foolish king and his minister themselves got executed on the newly made stake because they wanted to be reborn as rulers in the next life.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the BSE Odisha Class 9 English board assessments, this chapter typically carries about 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually include short-answer type questions about the plot events, character behavior, and long-answer questions focusing on the theme of foolishness and the clever trick played by the guru.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the guru and his disciple decide to leave the kingdom?
The guru realized it was dangerous to live in the kingdom of fools because their behavior was unpredictable and unsafe, though the greedy disciple stayed for cheap food.
How did the guru save his disciple's life?
The guru cleverly praised the stake, claimed it was the righteous stake of the god of justice, and argued that whoever died on it first would become a king in the next life, tricking the king into getting executed himself.
What is the main moral of the story 'In the Kingdom of Fools'?
The story teaches us that foolish people are dangerous and unpredictable, and it is wise to avoid their company, while presence of mind can save us from critical situations.
Learn Supplementary: In the Kingdom of Fools with Your AI Tutor
10 different ways to study this chapter. Free for 3 chapters per day.
Lecture
Key Points
Interactive
Quiz
Flashcards